Clarkie

Swoff, It's a Pacifica. Made in NZ apparently. Here's a link to some info about it. Kayak details Cheers, Steve

Fair chance I'll be launching the yak from Apple Tree on Saturday. Got a couple of new reels I want to christen. Weathers looking spot on.

Thanks Ken. Forgot to mention that the weather was perfect. Although you can probably see that from the pics. Hardly a cloud in the sky, little to no wind. About 18 degrees during the day. Shorts & tee shirts.

The Artic P is supposed to be moored in Europe somewhere (was here for the Olympics, then went back). I had it on good authority that this was also Kerry's. Could have been wrong though. Done some searches on the net, and for a change came up blank.

The wanted us to go to Thredbo for the easter weekend, with a couple of friends, and who am I to argue with all the fishing options down there. In amounst the bush walking and bike riding, I managed a couple of sessions. 1 afternoon session in a place they used call Stinky Bay. Fishing from the shore throwing all manner of hard bodies around unfortunately resulted in nothing, but a couple of follows from very small fish, but did see a few decent sized ones. Had to leave (promised I'd be home for dinner) before prime time, so wasn't too concerned with the doughnut. Haven't spent an entire session just casting hard bodies so it was a good chance to see how a few of them swam, and which ones needed tuning. Next day we hired a little tinny, and spent the day trolling, flicking hb's ,and baitfishing. Again, not the best times, but she who must be obeyed isn't one for early starts or cold finishes. It's already getting down to 0 degrees at night down there. Anyway to cut a long story short, we managed to troll up a nice little 32cm Rainbow on the trip back using a Stumpjumper. Cooked up a treat. Here are some pics. Cheers, Steve.

Hi guys, Not sure of make or model Swoff. I'm actually borrowing it from a mate. I'll probably end up buying it off him as he hasn't used it since he's bought himself a tinny. I'll check out the details tonight and post tomorrow. I can tell you it tracks nicely, and is quite stable, even for a tall lad like myself. The only problem is that the rudder pedals are too close to the seat so I can't use them. I've heard the Kings are coming right in. I'm heading out on Sat again, so hopefully will see a bit of action. I could only see Taylor last time out, but doesn't mean they weren't around. I can see Friday night being another sleepless night.

Mick, Here's a photo of my rig. As you can see, not overly complex. Just 3 holders behind me. The netting in the front holds a gaff, and now a small landing net. Between my legs I keep 3 trays containing all my lures, pre-rigged plastics, knife, pliers and a roll of leader. In the sealed hatch I keep my tackle bag with spare plastics, jigs, hooks, sunscreen, aeroguard etc, and a bait esky if I take any. The big holder is actually a post holder with a bit of plastic pipe attached to it. It'll be going soon, as it's too heavy. I've posted a pic of Kerry packers boat in the general photos section now as well.

Hi guys, I mentioned in a report last week that I'd seen Kerry Packer's boat cruising up the Cowen. Finally got the film developed, so here's a pic.

Thanks for the tips Pogo. Alpine Angler was already on the list of calls. The weather report looks good, so hopefully the fish will play along as well. I'll let you know next week. Cheers, Steve.

Great tip Dave.

After our Pittwater trip, how about Bonecrusher.

Hi guys, I'm heading down the Thredbo for the weekend, and obviously the rods and maybe the kayak are coming too. My question is. Are soft plastics a viable option in the dams, or am I better off leaving them at home and concentrating on lures, mudeyes & worms? Thanks, Steve.

Still try and get out. Just makes fishing after work a bit harder as most of my spots are national parks, and are closed at dusk.

to the site Matty. If you grew up in West Pymble, then you'll probably know a few people I know as well. I've played cricket & footy for West Pymble ever since I moved to Sydney back in '96. If you ever need a deckie, or someone to show you a few places let me know. I'm only down the road. Cheers, Steve.

That's the one. Apparantly it's an old Ice Breaker, that's been tarted up a bit. Nice little chopper on the back as well. No worries Mick. I'm getting a roll of film developed tomorrow, so I'll post the pics then. It's not overly complex, just some very basic holders behind the driver. I'm actually borrowing it from a mate for a while. Steve.

I inherited my Grandpa's Graeme reel. It sounds almost identical to yours, apart from mine has drag, but no anti-reverse. They obviously didn't use rod holders in those days. Very good nick, no wobble or visual signs of rust. Have seen a couple of Graemes on ebay, but I think I'll hang onto mine. Cheers, Steve.

After a late night, last minute fishing session with a mate on Frday night, Sat morning was a late start, but with blue sky it was going to be a better day than I'd originally planned. Got to Appletree a bit after 9.30, and it's the quietest I think I've ever seen it. Only 6 or 8 trailers. Obviously everyone looked at the same forecast I did. Paddled straight over to the red marker bouy, and flicked there for a while for nothing, so went into Houseboat bay after seeing some surface action. Chased what I'm pretty sure were taylor, with plastics & metals for about an hour for zilch. Trolled, and flicked upto Chassam cove for a few small taylor. Got out and checked out the sand flats there. Rising tide, so flicked plastics and lures at the drop-off. Plastics were being destroyed by leatheries everywhere I threw them. Tried a hb for a while for nothing. Almost stepped on the same Stingray twice. Paddled into the deeper section and drifted an unweighted pilly around while flicking some more placcies around. Only more leatheries, and the pilly was un-touched. Trolled and flicked back to ATB for a 35cm taylor, a 25cm flatty, and 4 or 5 undersize taylor. Saw a lot of surface action around, but could only russell up small taylor. Bloody leatheries followed me the whole day. Kept destroying my bm's. Also saw Kerry Packers boat come up the creek, turn around and go back out again. Took a few pics of it which I'll post when I get the film back. Bloody ugly thing it is. Cheers, Steve.

Hi Tyrone, I'd be keen, and I'm sure I could drag the old man along. Dates permitting off course. Cheers, Steve.

Just a few more details The fish was caught on the beach and was released. It was caught on a live Bone Fish on 20lb line.

My Sth African fishing mate sent me these pics of a mate of his back in SA. Thought some of you may be interested. 56kg GT caught at a place called Kosi Bay. Sorry, don't know anything else about the capture, apart from I know it wasn't on a bream stick. For those who frequent S'fish these are the same photos posted by my SA mate. The blue net thing under the fish is what they used to weigh it. Cheers, Steve.

Saturday will be on the Cowen in the kayak. Somewhere between ATB & Cottage. Don't know about Sunday. Depends what the wants to do. May also turn out to be a day on the couch watching footy if the rain keeps up.

Had a crack at it last night on dusk. Only picked up 2 One 20cm & one 40cm. Beautiful night though.

Well done mate. Bet it went harder than that little leather jacket you got on Sunday

Article in one of the fish mags this month on growth rates and flatty sizes. Apparently once they get over a certain size, it's 1cm per year. That make the truly big ones very old. Certainly worth a read. I'll have to check which mag it is tonight. Steve.

Looks a lot nicer than Sunday arvo. I was thinking all day yesterday wether you made it out or not. Cheers, Steve.